Spy ware What is the best way to get rid of spy ware that Trend Micro InternetSecurity will not remove?
I have run Trend and Webroot, ran the free MS safety.live.com search for spyware and clean up tools. I also deleted files and some programs I don't use. The issue is when I try to use the MS Explorer any search that goes to a sight that has ads running I am redirected to Gateway's search page and told they couldn't find some strange site which will have atdmt.com in it. Then Gateway shows multiple sites to go to for spyware or malware removal along with sites that look suspious. Will the HIjack This delete files I need if you don't know what to look for is my concern? Someone said to use something on Majorgeeks called Hijack This.

HIjack This is mostly used as a logging tool to help identify adaware. it will allow you to send the log file to an expert who will then be able to tell you what to look out for. as with all adware removal programs, you have to look over the results to make sure you are not getting rid of something valid before blindly accepting all their recommendations.

My two personal favorites are:Spybot S&D found at www.safer-networking.org/Ad Aware, found at www.Lavasoft.com

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These are the best free security programs that I have found that actually do get rid of mal-ware, spy-ware, viruses, and worms for free. If your security program is not protecting your system very well, or it is an older paid for version that is now out of date and will not update any longer unless you purchase the new version, then you might do well to download and install these very powerful and efficient security programs.

You should only have one anti-virus/anti-spy-ware program installed and running on your PC or a conflict can occur, besides the fact that there would be an un-necessary use of the system resources. If you remove your old security program be sure to remove it from the add and remove programs in the control panel (some security programs have to be disabled before they can be removed). Also mal-ware is not the same as viruses, spy-ware, or worms. Malwarebytes will not remove any viruses, spy-ware, or worms, and AVG will not remove any mal-ware either.

AVG-Free Edition will automatically update itself and run security scans, it can be set from the AVG control panel in tools, advanced settings, schedules. You should set up the schedule so that it will update and scan at a time when the PC is not in use (usually during the middle of the night).

Also be sure that the Microsoft auto-update is not scheduled to run at the same time that you scheduled AVG to update or run a scan, if it is then change the Microsoft auto-update settings to something that will not run at the same time that AVG runs, for example (evryday 9:00 a.m., every Sunday 9:00 a.m., etc.). You can change the Microsoft auto-update settings in control panel, auto-updates.

Malwarebytes is the best free anti mal-ware program that I have found, the free edition will not auto-update or auto-scan and these functions must be manually done, but that is trivial compared to the protection that this program provides. After Malwarebytes has been installed, update it from the update tab and then check for any updates, after any updates then run a scan from the scanner tab, and then select a Full scan for the first time.

If you are using Vista right click on Malwrebytes and select Run As Administrator.

To fully protect your PC, Malwarebytes should be ran anytime that you close your web browser and are done using the internet, you should run a quick scan and if any malware is found then you should also run a full scan to be sure that the malware has been completely purged from your entire PC.

You can also protect your PC from known rogue web sites by downloading and installing SpywareBlaster, it does not scan for anything, and it does not remove anything, SpywareBlaster will prevent your internet explorer from connecting to known restricted, harmful, or rogue web sites for an added layer of protection.

These security programs will do a very good job at protecting your PC from internet threats. I used to have to fight these threats all the time to get rid of them, on either friends or family if not my own PC, but ever since I have installed these three programs on my system, and that of all my friends and family, it has actually become quite boring and I almost miss the battles.

Unfortunately you have been infected, by the software called "Vista Antivirus 2008". What this software does is infect you, then prompt you to pay to remove the infection that it installed. So it is a scam.

Once you have completed the steps, be sure to try an online scanner such as housecall here http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ This will not conflict with your already-installed Trend Micro software, it mearly runs through your web browser.

On that note, Internet Explorer is not very safe for browsing the Internet with, i would recommend either Firefox or Opera for a safer/better browsing experience.

It depends on the infection. My first recommendation would be to ditch Trend Micro, and get a better antimalware program (it's not very good compared to alternatives).
Much better alternatives include;
1. NOD32 (or if you want the suite, NOD ESS)
www.eset.com
2. Kaspersky
www.kaspersky.com
3. Avira
www.free-av.com
4. Avast
www.avast.com
5. Malwarebytes AntiMalware
www.malwarebytes.org
Each of these include trials and/or free versions that you can use to get rid of the infection.
I'd also recommend following it up by posting a HiJack This log to one of the many support forums available, including TeMerc Internet Countermeasures;
www.temerc.com/forums
To do so, please see the following instructions;
http://temerc.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=18
A list of other trusted support forums can be found at;
Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals
http://asap.maddoktor2.com